Sand Springs Musicians
Sand Springs may not be Nashville or New Orleans, or even have a cultural identity like “Tulsa Sound,” but there’s been no shortage of talented musicians with ties to the river city. Tulsa’s best suburb has been the home of many incredible artists in genres spanning rap to country and everything in between.
Capital Lights
Initially known as afterEIGHT, Capital Lights was formed by Jacob Dement, Brett Admire, Bryson Phillips, and Jay Caudle in 2002.
In 2005 Caudle was replaced by Michael Phillips, and in 2006 they released the album “Better Late Than Never.”
In 2006 Dement and Justin Lamproe departed the band, and Johnathan Williams joined soon after. Bryson Phillips took over on vocals and they released the EP “The Revival of the Fittest,” while transitioning from screamo to pop punk.
In 2008 they officially changed their name to Capital Lights and released the album “This is an Outrage.” Their second album, “Rhythm 'N' Moves” was released in 2012, and the band has been on hiatus ever since.
Jacob Dement
Charles Page High School graduate Jacob Dement has been a staple in the Tulsa music scene since his teenage years as the front man for afterEIGHT.
After a brief career as a cruise-liner musician for Carnival and Norwegian, Dement returned to Tulsa where he was the front man for popular cover band The Sellouts.
Now Dement performs at bars, clubs, and venues across Oklahoma as a solo performer, as “Jake and Jake” along with Jake Flint, or as the lead of the Jacob Dement Trio. He released his eponymous debut album in 2020.
Austin Dixon
Austin Dixon is a 2013 Charles Page High School graduate and University of Oklahoma alum who has been blowing up on social media since 2020 with a following of well over 100,000 on TikTok. He released his “Take Me Home” EP in 2015 and since then has been playing concerts around the country while recording new music.
Shelby Eicher
Shelby Eicher wasn’t born or raised in Sand Springs, but it has been his home for many years. Eicher was a member of Roy Clark’s band for 15 years and recorded five albums with Clark while appearing multiple times on The Tonight Show and Hee-Haw.
Eicher recorded “Old Time Fiddling in 2009 and has appeared on numerous other albums.
Randy Ess
Randy Ess graduated Charles Page High School in 1969 and was a founding member of “The Rogues Five” while still in high school. The group regularly performed on KOTV’s “Dance Party” in the 1960s and even opened for The Doors at the Cox Convention Center.
I.J. Ganem
IJ Ganem graduated Charles Page High School in 1969 but found success as a student with his band “The Rogues Five.” The Rogues Five regularly performed on KOTV’s “Dance Party” in the 1960s and even opened for The Doors at the Cox Convention Center.
Ganem has since seen success as a solo performer and as the front man for the IJ Ganem Band, and he owns and operates the Saddlerock talent agency and GX2 Records.
Morgan Ganem
The son of “Rogues Five” legend I.J. Ganem, Morgan Ganem graduated Charles Page High School in 2005 and immediately began making a name for himself in the music scene. Ganem was the lead vocalist and songwriter for Tulsa band “GANEM” from 2006 to 2008 and for “Sownds” from 2008 to 2011.
In 2010 Ganem wrote the song “Chop it Up” for the Kansas City Chiefs, which was immediately adopted by the team. Not only is it frequently played at their games, but Ganem himself performed it there.
As a solo artist, Ganem has performed as a DJ for decades and released his debut album “Paradise” in 2017.
Matt Harris
The brother of Star Search’s Sam Harris, Matt also has a long history as a recording artist, writing and performing songs with Leon Russell, Neil Young, Chicago, and more. He released his debut album, “Slightly Elliptical Orbit,” in 2002.
Sam Harris
Long before American Idol, Sam Harris won the first season of its predecessor, Star Search, in 1983. Harris has released nine studio albums and has performed for sold-out audiences at Carnegie Hall and London’s West End.
In addition to his singing career, Harris is also a Broadway and television star and published author.
Billy Wayne Hensley
CPHS Class of 2004 graduate Billy Wayne Hensley was the front man for local Christian rock band Anna Dilemma, but after deciding not to pursue chemotherapy or other treatments for his terminal neuroblastoma, he set about living his last days to their fullest.
Prior to his death in 2008 at the age of 22, Hensley got to perform with Cross Canadian Ragweed on multiple occasions, including at Cain’s Ballroom a week before his death.
Jennifer Marriott
Blues singer Jennifer Marriott released “Baa Baa Blue Sheep” in 2008 and followed it up with “You Should Be With Me” in 2011 and “Digging Up My Roots” in 2017.
Pete Marriott
Blues guitarist Pete Marriott released “Outrunnin’ the Rain” in 2014 and “Digging Up My Roots” in 2017.
Hannah Ornelas
Hannah Ornelas, formerly Hannah Rose, graduated Charles Page High School in 2013 and released her debut EP “More Than Conquerors” in 2017, followed by the single “Anything to Change the World” in 2018.
Janet Rutland
Charles Page High School 1975 graduate Janet Rutland is a staple in the Tulsa music scene, with decades of experience performing vintage jazz, pop, and country music.
Darin Shipley
Charles Page High School 1992 graduate Darin Shipley is an independent contemporary Christian singer-songwriter and worship leader. He released his debut album, “Hunger Rising,” in 2018.
Mike Sochek
Known professionally as Syke Mochek, Mike is the lead singer and guitarist for Christian metal band Blood of the Ghost, and formerly led Down For Five and Slamcat.
Jake Tankersley
Charles Page High School Class of 2011 graduate Jake Tankersley first demonstrated his musical gift to the world in 2010 when he penned the song “See You Soon” in honor of two CPHS students who died in a car accident. All sales of that song raised thousands of dollars to aid their funerals.
Jake released his first album, “Just Jake,” in 2011, and got his first taste of fame in 2016 when he appeared on American Idol. Jake received a golden ticket at his Little Rock audition and advanced to Hollywood before being cut.
Jake released his second album, “The Little Things” in 2019 and he is now the full-time worship pastor at Cedar Point Church in Claremore.
The Rogues Five
The Rogues Five formed as a group of Charles Page High School students and regularly performed on KOTV’s “Dance Party” in the 1960s and even opened for The Doors at the Cox Convention Center.
The band members included Randy Ess, IJ Ganem, Philip Wilson, Bard Coats and Jamie Oldaker.
The Tribble Brothers
Bryan Tribble released “The Best of Bryan Tribble” in 2018, “Anthology of Bryan Tribble” in 2019, “Trail of Songs” in 2020, and “Oklahoma Sunset” in 2023. Together with his brother Keith Tribble, the two were members of the Oklahoma Boomtown Band and released “Sugartime Sessions” in 2021.
Dylan Whitney
Charles Page High School class of 2015 graduate Dylan Whitney is a gifted blues guitarist and has performed at prestigious venues throughout the south. The Dylan Whitney Band has even performed as a headliner on the Tulsa State Fair’s Oklahoma Stage.
